Rigid container

ABSTRACT

A rigid container, made by folding a sheet material, including a first and a second end and including a front face wall, a rear face wall, a first and a second lateral wall; the front face wall and the rear face wall converging at the first end and the first and second lateral walls diverging at the first end.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a rigid container and in particular to a rigidcontainer for tubes, such as tubes of toothpaste and the like.

BACKGROUND ART

Tubes for toothpaste, food products and the like consist of a tubularbody having a main direction of extension and are usually packed and puton sale inside a respective rigid container or box made, for example, ofpaperboard, plastic or in any case of a sheet material which may evenhave multiple layers.

One end of the tubular body is generally closed by a cap, whilst theopposite end is closed by a closing portion extending in a directiontransversal to the main direction of extension and determines themaximum dimension of the tube in a cross-section of the tube.

The boxes used to package tubes are normally in the shape of arectangular parallelepiped and the tubes are inserted in the boxes withthe closing portion positioned according to a smaller diagonal of asmaller face of the box.

The above-mentioned types of containers have several disadvantages.

The need for a base diagonal at least as long as the maximum dimensionof the closing portion means that it is necessary to make a box withparallelepiped shape which is extremely large compared with the volumeof the tube to be inserted in it.

Therefore, the prior art boxes require a lot of sheet material comparedwith the actual dimensions of the tube and have a volume much greaterthan the volume of the tube, with consequent negative logisticsimplications.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In this context, the main technical purpose of this invention is toprovide a rigid container which is free of the above-mentioneddisadvantages.

This invention has for an aim to provide a rigid container, inparticular for tubes, which allows a saving in terms of sheet materialcompared with the prior art solutions.

A further aim of this invention is to provide a rigid container which iseasy to group in relatively limited spaces.

The technical purpose indicated and the aims specified are substantiallyachieved by a rigid container according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of this invention are more apparent inthe detailed description below, with reference to a preferred,non-limiting, embodiment of a rigid container as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a rigid container according tothis invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is a schematic front view of an alternative embodiment of thecontainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a composition of threecontainers according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic front view of the composition of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a schematic top plan view of the composition of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic bottom plan view of the composition of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a set of containers according to thisinvention comprising the composition of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of a different embodiment of acontainer according to this invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a different embodiment of acontainer according to this invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a rigid container accordingto this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes acontainer according to this invention.

The container 1 is a rigid container, preferably made of a sheetmaterial such as paperboard or plastic.

The container 1 is preferably intended for packaging a tube 100,illustrated for example with a dashed line in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, of thesubstantially known type and described only as far as is necessary foran understanding of this invention, for example tubes containingtoothpaste or containing food products such as mayonnaise or tomatoconcentrate paste.

In short, the preferred references tubes comprise a tubular body 101having a main direction of extension X1. One end of the tubular body isgenerally closed by a cap 102, whilst the opposite end is flattened andis closed by a closing portion 103 extending in a direction X2transversal to the main direction of extension X1 and determines themaximum dimension of the tube 100 in a cross-section of the tube 100.

The container 1 comprises a first end 2 and a second end 3.

In an example embodiment illustrated, the container 1 has a maindirection of extension D.

The container 1 comprises a plurality of walls extending along thedirection D, there being four in the embodiments illustrated.

In particular, the container 1 comprises a front face wall 4, having arespective end portion 4 a at the first end 2 of the container 1.

The container 1 comprises a first lateral wall 5, having a respectiveend portion 5 a, connected to the face wall 4.

The container 1 comprises a rear face wall 6, having a respective endportion 6 a at the first end 2 of the container 1, connected to thelateral wall 5.

The container 1 comprises a second lateral wall 7, having a respectiveend portion 7 a at the first end 2 of the container 1, connected to therear face wall 6 and to the front face wall 4.

In one embodiment the walls 4, 5, 6, 7 are connected to each other atcorresponding edges.

The edges are in particular formed by fold lines of the above-mentionedsheet material.

The walls 4, 5, 6, 7 each extend mainly in the direction D. The ends 2and 3 are opposite one another relative to the direction D.

At the second end 3, the container comprises a bottom wall 8 connectedto the walls 4, 5, 6, 7.

In the example embodiment illustrated, the bottom wall 8 is aquadrilateral and in particular it is square and, preferably, orthogonalto the direction D.

A corresponding edge is formed by each wall 4, 5, 6, 7 with the bottomwall 8.

In particular with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, it should be noticed thatthe front face wall 4 and the rear face wall 6 converge at the first end2 of the container 1, whilst the first lateral wall 5 and the secondlateral wall 7 diverge at the first end 2.

The wall 4 and the wall 6 converge and, as illustrated, are connected toone another along a closing portion 9 at the end 2 of the container 1.

The divergence of the portions 5 a, 7 a allows closing of the container1 at the end 2.

Advantageously, the closing portion 9 extends in a direction D1 which istransversal, in particular perpendicular, to the main direction ofextension D.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 13 the wall 4 and the wall 6converge and are connected by a top wall 10 which forms the closingportion 9.

The top wall 10 is preferably orthogonal to the direction of extension Dof the container 1.

The convergence of the face walls 4, 6 is determined by the convergenceof the respective end portions 4 a, 6 a.

The divergence of the lateral walls 5, 7 is determined by theconvergence of the respective end portions 4 a, 7 a.

The front face wall 4 comprises a respective base portion 4 b connectedto the bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 4 a projects on theopposite side to the bottom wall 8.

The lateral wall 5 comprises a respective base portion 5 b connected tothe bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 5 a projects on theopposite side to the bottom wall 8.

The front face wall 6 comprises a respective base portion 6 b connectedto the bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 6 a projects on theopposite side to the bottom wall 8.

The lateral wall 7 comprises a respective base portion 7 b connected tothe bottom wall 8 and from which the end portion 7 a projects on theopposite side to the bottom wall 8.

The base portions 4 b, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b of the above-mentioned face walls4, 6 and lateral walls 5, 7 are parallel to the main direction D ofextension as far as the connection with the bottom wall 8.

In that way, it is possible to minimise the packaging material used, yetmaintain the structural rigidity given by the convergences anddivergences at the first end 2 of the package. In particular, as isdescribed in detail below, the material needed to make the container isminimised compared with the prior art solutions and the volume of thecontainer 1 is preferably comparable with that of the tube 100 to beplaced inside it.

In particular, the base portions 4 b, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b may extend from thebottom wall 8 to the centre line of the package along the longitudinallength corresponding to the main direction D of extension.Alternatively, the base portions 4 b, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b may extend from thebottom wall 8 as far as two thirds of the way up the package along thelongitudinal length corresponding to the main direction D of extension.

In one embodiment, the base portions 4 b, 5 b, 6 b, 7 b form arectangular parallelepiped preferably extending in the direction D.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the portions 4 a, 6 a areconvex and the portions 5 a, 7 a are concave to obtain theabove-mentioned convergence of the face walls 4, 6 and divergence of thelateral walls 5, 6.

Preferably, at least the portions 4 a, 6 a of the face walls 4, 6 arecurvilinear.

At least the end portion 5 a of the first lateral wall 5 and the endportion 7 a of the second lateral wall 7 are curvilinear.

The end portions 4 a, 6 a of the face walls converge, whilst the endportions 5 a, 7 a of the lateral walls diverge and are joined to oneanother at the closing portion 9.

In that way, the container 1 takes on a shape similar to that of thetube 100 to be placed inside it.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 5, the above-mentionedparallelepiped portion is preferably sized to substantially circumscribethe tubular body 101 of the tube 100, whilst the end 2 follows the usualshape of the closing portion 103 of the tube.

The material needed to make the container is minimised compared with theprior art solutions and the volume of the container 1 is preferablycomparable with that of the tube 100 to be placed inside it.

In one embodiment, the bottom wall 8 has a diagonal longer than thedimension of the portion 103 in such a way that it is possible to insertthe tube 100 in the container 1 once the container 1 has been madebefore closing the wall 8.

In that case, advantageously, the container 1 has an outer surface areamuch greater than a conventional box which is for example aparallelepiped, guaranteeing more space for brands and/or indicationsfor consumers.

As illustrated, the end portions 4 a, 6 a of the face walls 4, 6 areformed as the same portion of a same curvilinear surface, that is tosay, they substantially have the same shape and curvature.

The end portions 5 a, 7 a of the lateral walls 5, 7 are formed as thesame portion of a same curvilinear surface, that is to say, theysubstantially have the same shape and curvature.

Advantageously, the portions 4 a, 5 a, 6 a, 7 a all have the same shapeand they differ in that the portions 4 a, 6 a are convex and theportions 5 a, 7 a are concave.

In that way, in particular with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, it ispossible to place a series 20 of containers 1 a, 1 b, 1 c side by side,for example by abutting the lateral wall 5 of a first container 1 a withthe face wall 4 of a second container 1 b, the face wall 6 of thecontainer 1 b with the lateral wall 7 of a third container 1 with alateral wall 5, 7.

Advantageously, the containers 1 a, 1 b, 1 c can be placed in aplurality of series 20, as schematically illustrated in FIG. 10.

As illustrated, the series 20, which can be created using the preferredembodiment of the containers 1, have dimensions seen in bottom planview, shown in FIG. 9, determined by the bottom walls 8, preferablyquadrilateral, which are drawn near along respective edges.

The end portions 4 a, 5 a, 6 a, 7 a allow maximum compactness of theseries 20, with further significant optimisation of their dimensions.

In particular with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, in one embodiment thecontainer 1 comprises supporting means for the container 1 itself 9.

The supporting means are positioned in the first end 2 of the container1 and in particular at the closing portion 9.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 11, the supporting means comprise a tab11 projecting from the closing portion 9 in the direction D on theopposite side to the end 3.

The tab 11 is hook-shaped and allows the container 1 to be hung in acorresponding support, not illustrated.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 12, the supporting means comprise a tab12 projecting from the closing portion 9 in the direction D on theopposite side to the end 3.

The tab 12 is provided with a hole 13 which allows the container 1 to behung in a corresponding support, not illustrated.

Advantageously, the container 1 according to this invention may also behung using the diverging portions 5 a, 7 a on two prongs, notillustrated.

In one embodiment the container 1 is provided with an opening system 14for extracting the tube 100.

The opening system 14 comprises a line of weakness 15 of the container1, of the substantially known type, where a generic user, notillustrated, can easily open the container 1.

In particular with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, in one embodiment theline of weakness 15 is preferably provided at the first end 2, inparticular at the closing portion 9 of the container 1.

In one embodiment, one or more lines of weakness 15 extend parallel tothe direction X1.

In one embodiment, for example that illustrated in FIG. 12, the line ofweakness 15 allows detachment of the tab 12.

In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, the tab 12 forms atear-off coupon preferably comprising a code or a text for example forpromotional purposes.

The package 1 illustrated in FIG. 2 may be obtained by erecting apackage previously pre-produced and flattened. As shown in FIG. 2A, thepackage 1 comprises two fold lines A (of which only one is illustrated,the two being specular), preferably made by means of creasing, startingfrom the centre line of the first end 2. In particular, in theembodiment illustrated the fold lines A start from the closing portion 9of the container 1, made, by way of example, in the shape of a fin.

Advantageously, the above-mentioned fold lines A only extend on the facewalls 4 and 6. The fold lines A are, therefore, positioned opposite oneanother relative to the central axis of the container 1. In that way,the two lateral walls keep their structural rigidity unchanged,preventing them from collapsing towards the inside of the container dueto the concavity.

Preferably, the length of the two fold lines A, B is less than thelength of the walls on which they are made. In particular, in theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 2°, said fold lines A, B cover a lengthextending from the first end 2 of the container 1 to its centre line.The above-mentioned lines A, B could equally extend from the same firstend 2 to the first third of the above-mentioned container 1.

1. A rigid container made using a sheet material and comprising a firstand a second end and comprising at least: a front face a rear face wall,a first and a second lateral wall having a main direction of extensionand each comprising a respective end portion and a respective baseportion, at said second end, said container comprising a bottom wallconnected to said face walls and lateral walls; said first and secondends being opposite one another relative to said main direction ofextension; said end portions of said front face wall and said rear facewall converging at said first end and said end portions of said firstand second lateral walls diverging at said first end; said containerbeing characterised in that said base portions of said face walls andlateral walls are parallel to said main direction of extension as far asthe connection with said bottom wall.
 2. The container according toclaim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face wall and said endportion of said rear face wall converge at said first end and said endportion of said first lateral wall and said end portion of said secondlateral wall diverge at said first end.
 3. The container according toclaim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face wall and said endportion of said rear face wall are convex.
 4. The container according toclaim 1, wherein said end portion of said first lateral wall and saidend portion of said second lateral wall are concave.
 5. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said front face walland said end portion of said rear face wall are curvilinear.
 6. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein said end portion of said firstlateral wall and said end portion of said second lateral wall arecurvilinear.
 7. The container according to claim 1, wherein said endportion of said front face wall, said end portion of said rear facewall, said end portion of said first lateral wall and said end portionof said second lateral wall, are each formed by a same portion of a samecurvilinear surface.
 8. The container according to claim 1, wherein saidfront face wall and said rear face wall are connected at said first endalong a direction transversal to a transversal to a direction ofextension of the container, said first end being a container closingend.
 9. The container according to claim 1, wherein said containercomprises supporting means positioned at said first end, said supportingmeans being provided for hanging said container.
 10. The containeraccording to claim 1, wherein said container comprises a tab extendingfrom said first end in a main direction of extension of the container.11. The container according to claim 9, wherein said supporting meanscomprise said tab.
 12. The container according to claim 1, wherein saidcontainer comprises a container opening system.
 13. The containeraccording to claim 12, wherein said opening system comprises a line ofweakness preferably made substantially at said first end.
 14. Thecontainer according to claim 1, wherein it is made of sheet materialfolded to form at least said front face wall, rear face wall, first andsecond lateral walls.
 15. The container according to claim 10, whereinsaid tab forms a tear-off coupon preferably comprising a code or a textfor example for promotional purposes.